APC primaries: Why l won’t step down for Orji Kalu – Aspirant

Fabian Okonkwo, a senatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Abia North Senatorial District, says he will not step down for a serving senator, Orji Kalu.

Mr Okonkwo, at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, was reacting to a report that he had stepped down for Mr Kalu, the Senate Chief Whip and a former governor of the state.

The aspirant said that instead of him stepping down for Mr Kalu, he expected the serving senator to step down for him and concentrate on his earlier presidential ambition.

“l, Fabian Okonkwo, have not withdrawn for anybody, including Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, for the senatorial race in Abia North.

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“Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu should come and let us go for the primaries; if he wins at the primaries, l will congratulate him and support him at the main election,” he said.

Mr Okonkwo said that he had not seen Mr Kalu in the last four years and had not discussed anything with him.

“Consensus is not discussed behind any aspirant’s back and the party cannot force anybody to withdraw from the race under a suspicious condition.

“The party primary is on May 28 and nothing can be done with me until the day of the primaries or thereafter.

“I cannot withdraw for anybody, he should withdraw for me,” the aspirant insisted.

Mr Okonkwo said if Mr Kalu is still interested in the presidential ambition, he should go ahead and withdraw from the senatorial race.

(NAN)